PLUS: SOCCER; Teams Advance To F.A. Cup Final

Arsenal and Liverpool won semifinal matches yesterday and will meet in the Football Association Cup final on May 12 in Cardiff, Wales. It will be the third time they have met for the title; Arsenal won the previous matches, in 1971 and 1950.

Arsenal defeated Tottenham, 2-1, in the semifinals in Manchester on a goal by Robert Pires in the 74th minute. Liverpool also won by 2-1, beating Second Division Wycombe in driving rain in Birmingham on late goals by Emile Heskey and Robbie Fowler.